Know Your Rights

If you are a first-, second-,third- or fourth year teacher, you are essentially a probationary (non-tenured) employee. This means that you serve year to year. But from the first day on the job, you have full rights under state and federal laws. For example, you cannot be discriminated against on the basis of race, sex, age, sexual orientation, or national origin. Since the evaluation procedure is part of your contract, you have the right to be evaluated according to the specifics of that procedure.Weingarten Rights – Weingarten rights guarantee an employee the right to union representation during an investigatory interview by an employer. If the interview could in any way lead to the employee being disciplined or terminated or affect his or her personal or working conditions, he or she should respectfully request that a union representative or officer be present at the meeting. Without representation, the employee may choose not to answer any questions.NJEA Legal Services – NJEA-NEA legal services protect and provide for members with serious job problems and personal legal problems.For a serious job problem – call UniServ first! – When your problem is job-related — affecting your tenure, your contract with a public school district, or college, or some other aspect of your continued employment — call your area NJEA-NEA UniServ office immediately.For personal legal problems – contact the NJEA/NEA Attorney Referral Program – NJEA-NEA’s Attorney Referral Program provides personal legal services for NJEA active and retired members. Obtain assistance with real estate, wills and estates, domestic relations, consumer protection and traffic violations. NJEA-NEA members are protected by a 100% Legal Service Plan through 21 New Jersey law firms standing ready to handle approved member defense cases.Tenure